Modern Metaphors of Christian Leadership

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Christian Leaders as Community Organizers: Utilizing the Power Above, Within, and Around Us

Abstract

The biblical story of Nehemiah displays rich elements of how Christian leaders act as community organizers. Nehemiah showed eight traits: spirituality, vision, power, strategy, servanthood, role modeling, adaptability, and endurance. Today’s Christian leaders can act as community organizers by following Nehemiah’s example. They need to develop a rich personal relationship with the Spirit, invite God into all areas of social and community life, live lives of integrity that open doors to resources, embrace secular and sacred spaces as aspects of God’s creation, and join the Spirit in organizing communities toward God’s plans of peace and prosperity (Shalom) for them and humanity in general.

Guillermo G. Puppo

Chapter 2. Christian Leaders as Agents of Change: A Biblical Perspective with Practical Implications

Abstract

Through an analysis of the Prophet Elisha’s leadership characteristics, it can be demonstrated that Christian leaders as agents of change should embody certain characteristics, which are supported by modern social science research. These characteristics include being a team player, being creative in their actions, showing gratitude to others team members, being concerned for the needs of others, thinking from a global perspective, holding themselves and others accountable for their actions, encouraging team members, being resolute in their decision making and character, speaking the truth in difficult situations, and motivating others to reach for new heights.

Tim Gregory

Chapter 3. Christian Leaders as Administrators: Exemplifying Leadership as an Outgrowth of Collaboration

Abstract

Christian leaders can look to Moses as a model of the practical application of the gift of administration. Moses had to logistically manage all aspects of life for the nation of Israel, and from his life and relationships ten themes were extracted. This resulted in principles of administration that all are beneficial to all Christian leaders. Christian leaders, when manifesting the spiritual gift of administration, embrace preparation as both critical for the journey and a best practice that produces success. They lead and are motivated by a sense of altruism that allows them to value the organization above themselves.

Craig A. Bell

Chapter 4. Christian Leaders as Motivators: Prophetic Vision in Leaders

Abstract

Through the examination of Nehemiah, Jesus Christ, St. Benedict, and the Holy Spirit, this chapter arrives at seven principles regarding motivation and the Christian leader: (a) intrinsic motivation to complete a vision can provide extrinsic motivation to those who follow through goal-setting, (b) followers are intrinsically motivated through consistent character and authentic leadership, (c) a transformed leader is motivated by biblical principles and these translate to the workplace, (d) leaders can be simultaneously motivated by intrinsic factors while being stimulated by external factors, (e) ability is secondary to traits such as integrity, humility, determination, and right motives, and (f) leaders must rely upon the Holy Spirit for their motivation.

Brandon L. Key

Chapter 5. Christian Leaders as Managers: Facilitating Extraordinary Outcomes Through Stewardship

Abstract

Nehemiah is one of the biblical figures that displayed outstanding management competency and qualities of excellent management capability. Nehemiah’s life models seven principles of excellent management competency: (a) excellent managers are stewards of innovation and ideas; (b) excellent managers are great administrators of structures, systems, and procedures; (c) excellent managers are experts in human talent development and optimizing organizational performance; (d) excellent managers have the skill to oversee organizational change processes and programs; (e) effective managers are brilliant in managing cross-cultural scenarios, teams, and contexts; (f) managers are exceptional in managing strategic actions; (g) excellent managers are meritorious in managing adversity.

Abdulai V. Bayoh

Chapter 6. Christian Leaders as Servants: Accept the Opportunity

Abstract

Using the life of Joseph as an exemplar, seven principles of servant leadership that can be procured: (a) Servant leaders demonstrate integrity through adherence to their moral convictions; (b) Leaders who serve build and sustain trust; (c) Leaders who serve seek to wisely dissect situations in order to determine potential courses of action; (d) Leaders who serve embody patience as a leadership virtue; (e) Leaders who serve create an environment of shared identity and build structures that are conducive to giving and receiving forgiveness; (f) Leaders who serve present well through preparation, articulation, and confident humility; and (g) Leaders who serve understand that God is trustworthy.

Lorianne Samuel Smith

Chapter 7. Christian Leaders as Artists: A Three-Ring Cord of Creativity, Imagination and Innovation

Abstract

Asaph, the Old Testament psalmist, identified by King David as Israel’s first music director, is the biblical exemplar used to explore Christian leaders as artists. Asaph’s character demonstrates the relationship between artistry, leader and intergroup connectedness. Asaph’s story of a three-ring cord profession as instrumentalist, psalmist and worship leader reflects seven principles that connect leaders as artists to intergroup leadership. Christian leaders as artists: are adaptive, revolutionize organizations through creativity, foster a culture of imagination, consider artistic as a value to organizations, understands harmony in diverse teams, can communicate across organizational levels, are sought out for their skill in leading others. All are valuable principles that contribute to leaders as artists and showcases their abilities to orchestrate and lead multiple teams and impact organizational innovation.

Ca-Asia A. Lane

Chapter 8. Christian Leaders as Coaches: Unlocking Potential Through Prophetic Relationships

Abstract

Ananias stands as an exemplar of a Christian coach within the context of the early Christian movement in the New Testament Scriptures. As Paul’s spiritual coach Ananias was agile, flexible, forward-thinking, able to discern Paul’s natural and spiritual blindness, and possessed a vision for Paul the Apostle that Saul of Tarsus did not have for himself. While the Bible is seemingly silent on the life of Ananias, this chapter will examine the pericope found in Acts 9:10 through Acts 9:20 to highlight the character and conduct of Ananias which qualifies him as an exemplar for Christian coaches in a contemporary organizational leadership context.

Nathaniel Mizzell

Chapter 9. Christian Leaders as Ambassadors: Esther as a Representative of Two Kingdoms

Abstract

The ambassador metaphor as descriptive for Christian leadership operates as a form of representational leadership at all levels of the organization: employee, mid-level project and team managers, and top executives. As representatives of the heavenly kingdom, the Christian’s primary allegiance is to God, while serving in earthly callings at various levels of organizational leadership. Esther as exemplar of the essential features of the ambassador role is explored in further detail by examining the five themes of ambassador representation for organizational leadership: (a) organizational citizens; (b) cross-cultural collaborators; (c) mentors; (d) change representatives; and (e) influencers of organizational culture.

Deborah L. Welch

Chapter 10. Christian Leaders as Educators: Leading a Culture of Learning and Innovation

Abstract

This chapter presents the Apostle Paul as an educator who taught and instructed the New Testament Church, resembling that of a learning organization. In order for Christian leaders and organizations to embrace and implement the teaching and the learning culture, there are principles that must be implemented. The principles were derived from the following themes. Themes were drawn from Paul’s leadership in his handling of and dealings with the churches under his leadership. The themes are: facilitating a culture of learning; ensuring a democratic-style culture; eliminating barriers to learning; welcoming creativity and innovation; and setting up the organization for sustainable development.

Kenneth S. Dixon

Chapter 11. Christian Leaders as Pioneers: Compassion Gives Pioneering Leaders Their Invaluable Edge

Abstract

Understanding how Peter stirred a pioneering drive yet compassionate heart possibly allows Christian leaders to develop team members’ strengths, cultivate the organization’s entrepreneurial culture, lessen employee turnover, and improve overall employee satisfaction. The Apostle Peter’s life demonstrated six themes of leading with compassion, and each theme explains how compassion is an indispensable trait for pioneering leaders of all organizations. Compassionate pioneers: (a) see people with eternal perspective; (b) meet personal needs; (c) show no partiality; (d) advocate for justice; (e) manage humbly; and (f) value godly character.

Adam C. Schwenk

Chapter 12. Christian Leaders as Crisis Managers: Leading When the Going Gets Tough

Abstract

Every organizational leader can expect to experience multiple crises during their tenure of leadership. In this chapter, Karl Barth is presented as an example of effective crisis management from a Christian leadership perspective. The themes derived from Barth’s handling of the German Church crisis—which can be applied to contemporary organizational settings—are: organizational commitment, organizational awareness, maintaining normalcy while addressing the crisis, demonstrating concern for stakeholder well-being, learning from the crisis in order to prevent future crises, protecting the reputation of the organization without lying or cover-ups, and engaging in Spirit-led decision-making.

Alex G. Wright

Chapter 13. Christian Leaders as Missionaries: Twenty-First-Century Application of a First-Century Mission

Abstract

This chapter gives attention to six characteristics that allowed Paul to be effective in his missiological endeavors. Christian leaders as missionaries: (a) are motivated by a sense of divine purpose; (b) do not shy away from adversity, knowing it develops spiritual maturity and builds cohesion among their followers; (c) have a centered-set paradigm of leadership which enhances the intrinsic motivation of their followers; (d) persuade their followers not only with their words but also by their character; (e) give priority to leadership development in order to enhance group health and foster organizational change; and (f) utilize both weak ties and strong ties networks to cultivate strategic relationships.

Samuel P. Dobrotka

Chapter 14. Christian Leaders as Storytellers: C. S. Lewis, God’s Master Storyteller

Abstract

This chapter looks at the role of storytelling as an integral part of the human experience. This is done by focusing on C. S. Lewis (1898–1963) as an exemplar through exploring his belief that stories reveal the truth about the real world in a unique way, especially in an era marked with conflict and complexity. It evaluates organizational leadership in terms of how Lewis used communication in his storytelling practices as Christian leader to transform people’s lives. Organizational leadership themes are identified, with a corresponding principle for each theme as a supporting lesson for Christian leaders in a contemporary organizational context.

Christa M. Bonnet

Chapter 15. Christian Leaders as Mentors: The Challenge of Emerging Leaders

Abstract

Barnabas rises to the surface as an exemplary mentor of the Christian Scriptures and occurred within the reproducible and effective Jewish rabbi/talmidim model. By studying the impact and influence of Barnabas, twenty-first-century Christian leaders can glean from five principles of mentorship. First, mentorship cultivates the importance of followership in both themselves and their protégés. Second, mentors embrace authentic, incarnational leadership. Third, mentorship reproduces perpetual, effective mentors. Fourth, mentors embrace self-awareness in themselves and their protégés. Fifth, mentors exegete their culture and their context. These principles help to address the unique challenges of the twenty-first century and may enable Christian leaders to enjoy thriving, ongoing incarnational mentoring.

Mark L. Atterson

Chapter 16. Christian Leaders as Role Models: The Life of Job as an Authentic Leader

Abstract

There are seven principles for Christian leaders as role models derived from the life of Job: (a) It is through personal integrity that leaders develop high levels of respect and trust; (b) authentic leaders model self-sacrificial behaviors that potentially cascade across organizational levels; (c) authentic leaders model humility through honest reflection; (d) it is through the vulnerability and transparency of authentic leaders that followers identify with leadership; (e) the trust developed by authentic leaders is the crucial to effective leadership and positive organizational outcomes; (f) it is through authentic leadership that followers develop empathy and concern for others; and (g) authentic leaders are values-driven such that their leadership evokes shares values in their followers and organizations.

Darlene L. Davis

Chapter 17. Christian Leaders as Imitators: Jesus as the Ultimate Example of Leadership

Abstract

Every generation of Christian leaders has been called to follow the model set forth by Jesus Christ: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1, ESV). Given this, any exploration of Christian leadership must be grounded in understanding the person, work, and leadership of Jesus Christ. This chapter sought to explore the leadership of Jesus Christ through the paradigm of the Gospel of John using the 16 metaphors found in this book. After a concise, examination of purposefully selected passages, 16 principles were identified.

Joshua D. Henson

Backmatter